obituaries

Oct 13, 2025

Sanda Faye Farley (nee Fields), age 71 of Hobart passed away October 13, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 14, 1954, in Gary, Indiana to the late Leroy and Velma Fields. On October 21, 1976, she married Donald Farley in Valparaiso. Sanda retired from Bethlehem Steel where she worked as a machine...

Oct 12, 2025

Michael P. Beckham, age 74 of Portage, Indiana passed away October 12, 2025. Mike was born on October 8, 1951, to Bernard and Elizabeth Beckham. He proudly served as a military police officer in the United States Army for 2 years. On April 27, 1987, he married Nancy Kolbus in Las Vegas, Nevada. They enjoyed 38 ½ years of...

Oct 11, 2025

At age 98, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family, Bob was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born the son of Walter and Emma (nee Andersen) Johnson on December 25, 1926, in Gary, Indiana.  Bob retired from Southern California Edison where he worked as an Electrical Engineer...

Oct 10, 2025

Nannette Marie Swing, age 66 of Lake Station passed away at her home on October 10, 2025. She was born on November 12, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois. On March 19, 1988, she married the love of her life, Charles Swing.  As a housewife, she dedicated herself to taking care of her family. She had a vibrant personality and always...

Oct 9, 2025

James Richard Nichols, age 92, of Hobart passed away on October 9, 2025. Jim was born June 5, 1933, to Virgil and Edna Nichols in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Hobart High School, class of 1951. Jim attended Indiana State College and was employed at Lake Wholesalers/ Reserve Supply for 37 years.  He retired from Pioneer Lumber after 10...

Oct 9, 2025

Louis Ray Nowakowski, age 60 of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025.  He was born on January 14, 1965, in Gary, Indiana to the late Eugene and Mary Nowakowski.

He was the youngest of three brothers, Bob Nowakowski, Eugene Nowakowski of Hobart, IN; Mike Nowakowski of Fort Worth, TX and two sisters Jenni (John)...

Oct 2, 2025

Randal N. Ford

Age 66, Portage passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025. He was born on July 23, 1959, in Marion Kentucky to Hazel (nee Myers) Ford and the late Otis Ford. Randy worked as a carpenter for R&W Builders. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a diligent worker and a great provider who willingly...

Oct 1, 2025

Rose Ellen Wibanks, age 68, of Portage passed away Wednesday October 1, 2025, at Northwest Health-Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.  Rose was born December 29, 1956, in Gary, Indiana to the late Thomas and Doris (Williams) Bradley. Rose was a homemaker, mother, sister, and wife. She loved spending time with her family at home.

She is survived by...

Sep 28, 2025

Gertrude Tallent (nee Adams), age 92 of Lake Station, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, one day shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born on September 29, 1932, in London, Kentucky to the late Andrew and Alta Adams. On September 26, 1953, she married Cecil Tallent. Gertrude was a voracious reader and enjoyed baking and knitting, but her...

Sep 25, 2025

William James Hawkins, Jr. "Jim", age 71, of Hobart passed away Thursday September 25, 2025, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Jim was born October 10, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Willliam and Margaret (Handy) Hawkins, Sr.. He retired from the US Navy with twenty-one years of service as a boatswain's mate. He then worked as...

Sep 25, 2025

Dan Czilli, 54, died suddenly on September 25, 2025. He was born July 6, 1971 in Gary, IN and grew up in Lake County. He graduated Portage High School in 1989, near the top of his class, and earned a BS in Biology, from Northwestern University, in 1993. He was hired by Eli Lilly soon after and has lived...

Sep 23, 2025

Betty Ronk, 91, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Born with a heart full of love and generosity, Betty devoted her life to her family. Her love extended far beyond her own family — Betty was Mom to many, welcoming them as her own. She created a home that was more than...

Sep 22, 2025

Mary Agnes "Aggie" Wisz, age 69, of Hobart, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025. She was born to the late Orville and Helen Caldwell. Aggie spent 38 years as a steel purchaser at Kenwal Steel. She was an active member of the Hobart Moose, where she met many people that became dear friends. She loved spending time with her...

Sep 20, 2025

Ray E. Baugh, age 78, of Hobart passed away Saturday September 20, 2025, in his home. Ray was born December 30, 1946, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to the late Grover and Grace (Potts) Baugh. Ray retired with thirty-two years of service as a meter reader for NIPSCO. He enjoyed watching football on TV especially Penn State and the Pittsburgh...

Sep 19, 2025

Ruth A. Mueller, age 75, of Valparaiso passed away in her home on September 19, 2025. She was born October 5, 1949, in Reedsburg, Wisconsin to the late Rev. Martin and Marian (Sather) Mueller.  She was a retired educator and school administrator at River Forest School System. Ruth Mueller's public education career began in River Forest Community Schools where...

Sep 16, 2025

Reverend Ronald L. Deck, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, September 16, 2025. He was born on December 12, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Louis and Josephine Deck. He proudly served his country as a medic in the United States Navy. On September 12, 1959, he...

Sep 16, 2025

HOBART, Ind. — Robert John "Bob" Estelle, 73, a longtime Hobart resident and writer-editor at the former Post-Tribune in Gary, died September 16 at St. Mary Medical Center after a long illness. He had lived at the Brickyard Golden Living Center in Portage, Ind., for the past two years.

He spent his career in journalism, starting at...

Sep 13, 2025

Ilona Williams, age 63, of Portage passed away September 13, 2025. She was born on October 2, 1961, in Aetna, Indiana to the late Leon and Helen Lipinski. Ilona worked as a comptroller for Allegius Credit Union. She was a hard-working woman who dedicated her life to taking care of her family. She had an appreciation for nature and...

Sep 11, 2025

SANDRA D. ROPEL, age 82, of Portage, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025. She was born in Chicago, IL on May 19, 1943, to the late Anthony and Estelle Donatello. Sandra was a member of Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She liked to shop, play BINGO, and enjoyed many trips including Cancun and...

Sep 11, 2025

Ann Elizabeth Sabin

Age 78 passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Regency Hospital – Porter. Ann was born on July 1, 1947, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Helen (nee Jones) Kichline. On April 3, 1971, Ann married the love of her life, Wayne Sabin. She retired as a registered nurse from St. Mary's Medical Center.  ...